Braces do amazing work, but they also make your teeth harder to clean. Brackets and wires create dozens of little spots where food and plaque can hide. If that plaque stays put, it can leave white spots, cavities, or swollen gums behind when the braces come off.
The good news? A few simple habits keep your teeth healthy the whole time.
Why Braces Make Cleaning Harder
Braces move teeth by putting steady, gentle pressure on them over time. But every bracket and wire is a new place for food to get stuck. A toothbrush alone can’t reach all of them, so your routine needs a small upgrade.
Daily Care Tips
Brush After Every Meal
Food gets trapped around brackets fast. Brush after each meal, or at least rinse well with water if you can’t brush right away. Angle your brush to clean above and below the wires.
Clean Between Your Teeth
Regular floss is tricky with braces, but it’s still important. These tools help:
- Interdental brushes: Tiny brushes that slip between brackets and under wires.
- Floss threaders: A plastic needle that pulls floss under the wire.
- Water flossers: A stream of water that flushes out food and plaque.
Need a refresher? Here’s our guide to flossing the right way.
Rinse With Mouthwash
A fluoride or antibacterial mouthwash reaches spots your brush and floss may miss. Ask your dentist which type fits you best.
Watch What You Eat
Some foods can break brackets or bend wires. Others feed cavity-causing bacteria. Try to avoid:
- Hard foods like ice, nuts, and hard candy
- Sticky foods like caramel, taffy, and gum
- Sugary drinks and snacks
- Biting into whole apples or corn on the cob (cut them up instead)
Lessons From #growingupwithbraces
People love sharing their braces stories online. Here are four lessons from those experiences, and how to handle each one.
Impressions Aren’t Fun, But They’re Getting Better
Many people remember the goopy trays used for dental impressions. Today, many offices use digital scanners instead. It’s worth asking your office which method they use.
A Poking Wire Is Common
A wire end can sometimes poke your cheek. Cover it with orthodontic wax for quick relief, and call your orthodontist so they can trim it.
Teeth Feel Sore After Adjustments
Soreness for a few days after a tightening is normal. Plan ahead and stock up on soft foods like yogurt, soup, eggs, and pasta. Here’s a list of what to eat the day before and after getting braces.
Broken Brackets Happen
Even careful patients break a bracket once in a while. Don’t panic, and don’t feel guilty. Call your orthodontist, keep any loose pieces, and avoid chewing on that side until it’s fixed.
When to Call Your Orthodontist
Call your orthodontist if a bracket comes loose, a wire pokes you and wax doesn’t help, or pain lasts more than a few days after an adjustment. Keep seeing your regular dentist for cleanings every six months while your braces are on, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I brush with braces?
After every meal if you can, and always before bed. Brush for two full minutes and check around each bracket.
Can I still use regular floss?
Yes. A floss threader makes it much easier to get floss under the wire.
What happens if I don’t clean well with braces?
Plaque left around brackets can cause white spots, cavities, and gum problems that are still there after the braces come off.